PSG Set to Have Dembélé and Mendes Back for Manchester City Clash
Paris Saint-Germain expect to travel to Manchester with Ousmane Dembélé and Nuno Mendes available for Wednesday’s Champions League league-phase meeting with Manchester City, after both returned to training at the club’s Poissy base following extended leave.
The pair were given additional recovery time after the international break as PSG prepared for a demanding end to October. Dembélé reported back on Saturday, with Mendes joining the group a day later, leaving Luis Enrique close to a full squad for the Etihad Stadium trip.
The management of Dembélé’s workload has been particularly deliberate. The forward had noticed a marked physical decline after the hour in major Champions League matches last season, and PSG have sought to preserve his intensity for the European schedule. The aim is for the France international to sustain his high-speed output for 60 to 70 minutes, and potentially deeper into the second half, against City.
His availability gives Luis Enrique an important option on the right, where Dembélé’s acceleration and direct running can provide PSG with an outlet in transition. Mendes, meanwhile, restores a major attacking and defensive presence on the left, with the Portugal international’s forward runs offering width alongside his work without the ball.
Mayulu remains absent
The only confirmed setback is Senny Mayulu, who will not make the journey after suffering a muscle injury while away with France’s youth sides. The young midfielder misses the chance to be involved in a significant first-team European fixture, but his absence is not expected to significantly affect a squad otherwise in strong condition.
PSG have made a productive domestic start, but the visit to the Premier League champions represents a sharper test. With Dembélé and Mendes back in contention, Luis Enrique will have two of his most dynamic wide players ready for one of the club’s biggest early-season assignments.
